Sen. Kirk Objects to Giving Missile Data to Russia

Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., plans to present an ultimatum of sorts to the Obama administration.

On Wednesday, Kirk will meet with Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough. In that meeting, he will explain that unless the administration produces a written agreement that sensitive U.S. missile defense data will not be provided to Russia, Kirk will block the appointment of the Ambassador-Designate to Russia, Michael McFaul.

"My hope is that we can just work this out where they commit not to deliver classified missile defense data to Russia," said Kirk. "And then I think he (McFaul) should go to Moscow."

The data in question is about the U.S. Navy’s Standard Missile 3, or SM-3. According to Kirk and several reports, the Obama administration was proposing to offer the Russians data on the burnout velocity (VBO) of the SM-3 missile. This is the data about the speed of the missile after it runs out of fuel. It is very helpful information to an entity that wishes to counter the missile.

"While the Russians can collect the information from far away using radar, they would not get the precision that we would give them. Precision in missile defense is everything. I don't think we should have the Russians accomplish by diplomacy what they have been trying so hard to get through espionage," said Kirk.

Kirk sees nothing that the U.S. is getting in return for this gift of sensitive data. The proposal appears to be a gesture from the administration when a new ambassador is preparing to set up an office in Moscow.

"I think the administration is very naïve in thinking this somehow builds good will with the Russians. I think the Russians would turn around and immediately provide this to the Iranians."

Michael Tobin joined FOX News Channel (FNC) in 2001 and currently serves as a Chicago-based correspondent.